Punjab favours opening of outdoor dining
Staff Reporter
The Punjab government has decided to submit recommendations to the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) for allowing outdoor dining in restaurants under SOPs.
The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid at Civil Secretariat on Wednesday.
Punjab Chief Secretary Jawad Malik, Additional Chief Secretary Home, administrative secretaries of health and industries
departments, Commissioner Lahore Division, CCPO Lahore, Director-General Public Relations and senior civil and military officials attended the meeting.
The meeting reviewed the corona pandemic situation, medical facilities and oxygen supply in
hospitals, implementation of SOPs and other measures.
Addressing the meeting, Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid said that there is a threat of increase in corona cases in the next few days if precautionary measures are not taken.
She said that due to non-implementation of SOPs, the second wave of corona pandemic could not be completely overcome and the third wave started which is proving to be more dangerous.
She said that the cooperation of the people is inevitable for controlling the epidemic, adding that citizens should make it a habit to wear masks and keep social distance to protect themselves and others.
She directed that a comprehensive epidemic
control strategy be formulated by analyzing the data on the corona virus situation.
She said that supply of medicines and oxygen is being ensured and the best medical facilities for corona patients are being provided in hospitals.
The Punjab Chief Secretary said that the government is aware of the problems being faced by business community due to the lockdown and relaxation of restrictions would be recommended to provide relief to traders.
He said that recommendations
would be made to the NCOC to allow outdoor dining under SOPs in restaurants in the province.
The Chief Secretary also directed the officers to take steps to raise public awareness about the importance of precautionary measures and vaccination.
The meeting was briefed that the administrative officers are working in the field to ensure implementation of SOPs in markets, restaurants and other public places and 400 shops and 16 restaurants were sealed for violation the other day.
